Objective To investigate functional connectivity between the two hemispheres in patients with positive symptoms of schizophrenia using voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity ( VMHC ) based on resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). Methods Eighteen patients with positive symptoms of schizophrenia and 22 healthy controls underwent the rs-fMRI. The whole brain VMHC was calculated in order to provide imaging basis for the study of the pathological mechanism of schizophrenia. Results Compared to the controls, VMHC values were decreased in the bilateral orbitofrontal cortex (t=-5.31, P<0.01), fusiform gyrus (t=-5.16, P<0.01), middle occipital gyrus (t=-5.31, P<0.01) in patients with positive symptoms of schizophrenia. Conclusion The functional coordination between homotopic brain regions is impaired in patients with positive symptoms of schizophrenia .

Objective To provide a basic profile of resting?state functional connectivity (FC) in unmedicated patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Methods Fifty unmedicated patients with MDD and 51 healthy controls underwent the resting?state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs?fMRI). After preprocessing of rs?fMRI, the seed?based resting?state FC of the insular subdivisions, including the anterior insula, middle insula, and posterior insula, was evaluated. Two?sample t?test and multiple comparison correction of Threshold?Free Cluster Enhancement (TFCE) were used to compare the FC values of each group to locate the regions with significant change, where its correlation to the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD24) scores was also explored. Results In comparison to the healthy controls, the MDD patients decreased FC between the left anterior insula and bilateral anterior cingulate cortices (t=-4.83, P<0.05, TFCE correction), and increased FC between the left anterior insula and the left middle frontal gyrus, as well as the bilateral posterior cingulate cortices/precuneus (t=4.08, 4.42;both P<0.05, TFCE correction). There were no significant correlations between the HAMD24 scores and the FC values from the left anterior insula to the bilateral anterior cingulate cortices (r=-0.125, P=0.387), the left middle frontal gyrus (r=0.149, P=0.302), and the bilateral posterior cingulate cortices/precuneus (r=-0.207, P=0.148). Conclusion Patients with depression have abnormal functional connectivity between the left anterior insula and the other two regions, such as the limbic system and the frontal cortex, which may present with an aweakened insula?anterior cingulate gyrus connectivity, and the enhanced insular?frontal, and insula-posterior cingulate/precuneus connectivity.

Objective To investigate the characteristics of striatum functional connectivity (FC) in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD).Methods Fifty unmedicated patients with MDD and 48 healthy controls underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) scan.Routine preprocessing of rs-fMRI data was performed.The striatum was divided into bilateral inferior ventral striatum,bilateral superior ventral striatum,bilateral dorsal caudate,bilateral dorsal caudal putamen,bilateral dorsal rostral putamen,and bilateral ventral rostral putamen.Whole brain functional connectivity analysis was performed with the above 12 seed points.And significant differences of each seed FC among two groups were calculated with Two-sample t-test and multiple comparison correction of threshold-free cluster enhancement (TFCE).Finally,correlation analysis was performed between the FC of the brain regions and clinical features (i.e.Hamilton Depression Scale of 24 items (HAMD24) scores).Results In comparison to the control group,the MDD patients showed significantly decreased FC in the left dorsal caudal putamen and the right superior temporal gyrus (t=-5.46,P＜0.008,TFCE correction),the right dorsal rostral putamen and bilateral postcentral gyrus (right t=-4.85,left t=-4.81,P＜0.008,TFCE correction) and left precuneus (t=-4.58,P＜0.008,TFCE correction).There were no significant correlations between the FC values in these regions and HAMD24 scores (r=0.171,0.002,0.005,0.098;all P＜0.05).Conclusion The MDD patients possibly have abnormal FC in the striatum and the superior temporal gyrus,the postcentral gyrus and the precuneus,and it suggests these sensorimoter areas may play an important role in the pathological mechanisms of MDD.

Objective To provide a basic profile of resting?state functional connectivity (FC) in unmedicated patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Methods Fifty unmedicated patients with MDD and 51 healthy controls underwent the resting?state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs?fMRI). After preprocessing of rs?fMRI, the seed?based resting?state FC of the insular subdivisions, including the anterior insula, middle insula, and posterior insula, was evaluated. Two?sample t?test and multiple comparison correction of Threshold?Free Cluster Enhancement (TFCE) were used to compare the FC values of each group to locate the regions with significant change, where its correlation to the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD24) scores was also explored. Results In comparison to the healthy controls, the MDD patients decreased FC between the left anterior insula and bilateral anterior cingulate cortices (t=-4.83, P<0.05, TFCE correction), and increased FC between the left anterior insula and the left middle frontal gyrus, as well as the bilateral posterior cingulate cortices/precuneus (t=4.08, 4.42;both P<0.05, TFCE correction). There were no significant correlations between the HAMD24 scores and the FC values from the left anterior insula to the bilateral anterior cingulate cortices (r=-0.125, P=0.387), the left middle frontal gyrus (r=0.149, P=0.302), and the bilateral posterior cingulate cortices/precuneus (r=-0.207, P=0.148). Conclusion Patients with depression have abnormal functional connectivity between the left anterior insula and the other two regions, such as the limbic system and the frontal cortex, which may present with an aweakened insula?anterior cingulate gyrus connectivity, and the enhanced insular?frontal, and insula-posterior cingulate/precuneus connectivity.

Objective To investigate the characteristics of striatum functional connectivity (FC) in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD).Methods Fifty unmedicated patients with MDD and 48 healthy controls underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) scan.Routine preprocessing of rs-fMRI data was performed.The striatum was divided into bilateral inferior ventral striatum,bilateral superior ventral striatum,bilateral dorsal caudate,bilateral dorsal caudal putamen,bilateral dorsal rostral putamen,and bilateral ventral rostral putamen.Whole brain functional connectivity analysis was performed with the above 12 seed points.And significant differences of each seed FC among two groups were calculated with Two-sample t-test and multiple comparison correction of threshold-free cluster enhancement (TFCE).Finally,correlation analysis was performed between the FC of the brain regions and clinical features (i.e.Hamilton Depression Scale of 24 items (HAMD24) scores).Results In comparison to the control group,the MDD patients showed significantly decreased FC in the left dorsal caudal putamen and the right superior temporal gyrus (t=-5.46,P＜0.008,TFCE correction),the right dorsal rostral putamen and bilateral postcentral gyrus (right t=-4.85,left t=-4.81,P＜0.008,TFCE correction) and left precuneus (t=-4.58,P＜0.008,TFCE correction).There were no significant correlations between the FC values in these regions and HAMD24 scores (r=0.171,0.002,0.005,0.098;all P＜0.05).Conclusion The MDD patients possibly have abnormal FC in the striatum and the superior temporal gyrus,the postcentral gyrus and the precuneus,and it suggests these sensorimoter areas may play an important role in the pathological mechanisms of MDD.

Objective To investigate the effect of angiotensin Ⅱ on protein kinase Cε (PKCε) and protein kinase Cα (PKCα) expression in hepatic stellate cells.Methods Hepatic stellate cell (HSC)-T6 cells were treated with different concentrations of angiotensin Ⅱ and the proliferation of HSC-T6 cells was detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay.The expression of PKCε and PKCα was detected by immunofluorescence staining.PKCε and PKCα mRNA levels was detected by real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).Results Angiotensin Ⅱ concentrated the proliferation of HSC-T6 cells and the level of hydroxyproline (F =25.321,13.283,P ＜ 0.001) and showed a dose-dependent effect.With the increase of angiotensin Ⅱ concentration,PKCε significantly increased and translocated in the cell membrane;PKCα increased significantly,especially in transplanted membrane and cytoplasm (F =21.387,19.431,P ＜0.01),and showed obvious dose effect.Meanwhile,Angiotensin Ⅱ increased the expression of PKCε and PKCα,and induced cell proliferation by up-regulating PKCε and PKCα mRNA levels (F =13.279,15.174,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Angiotensin Ⅱ can up-regulate the expression of collagen in hepatic stellate cells in a dose-dependent manner,increase the expression of protein kinase Cε and Cα,and promote the proliferation of hepatic stellate cells.

Objective To investigate the regulation of interferon α-1b (IFNα-1b) on protein kinase Cε(PKCε) and protein kinase Cα(PKCα) which inhibit the fibrosis of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) ,and to explore its mechanism .Methods HSC-T6 cells were treated with different levels of IFNα-1b (100 , 200 ,400 ,800 and 1000 U/mL) and the proliferation of HSC-T6 cells was analyzed by methyl thiazol tetrazolium (MTT) assay .Changes of hydroxyproline level were analyzed .The expressions of PKCεand PKCαwere detected by immunofluorescence staining . PKCε, PKCα,β-catenin and Survivin mRNA levels were detected by RT-PCR . PKCε, PKCα,β-catenin and Survivin protein levels were detected by Western blot . Variance analysis was conducted by using one-way ANOVA approach . Results The inhibition rates of 100 , 200 , 400 , 800 and 1000 U/mL IFNα-1b treatment after 24 hours of administration were (15 .85 ± 1 .05)％ ,(36 .59 ± 1 .03)％ ,(45 .12 ± 1 .05)％ ,(50 .00 ± 1 .01)％ and (62 .20 ± 1 .02)％ ,respectively ,with statistically significant differences among groups (F=27 .478 , P<0 .01) .The 48h inhibition rates were (20 .87 ± 1 .09)％ ,(43 .96 ± 1 .08)％ ,(53 .85 ± 1 .08)％ ,(64 .84 ± 1 .06)％ and (74 .72 ± 1 .07)％ ,respectively ,with statistically significant differences among groups (F=25 .321 , P< 0 .01 ) . half maximal inhibitory concentration at 48 h was 343 .47 U/mL . The levels of hydroxyproline in 100 ,200 and 400 U/mL IFNα-1b groups were (7 .48 ± 0 .28) ,(6 .26 ± 0 .17) and (3 .86 ± 0 .20) μg/mL ,respectively ,which were lower than that in control group (8 .47 ± 0 .32) μg/mL .The differences were all statistically significant (t=4 .033 ,10 .564 and 21 .160 ,respective ,all P<0 .05) .The fluorescence intensities of PKCεin 100 ,200 and 400 U/mL IFNα-1b groups were all lower than that of control group .The differences were statistically significant (t=1 .984 ,2 .457 and 7 .771 ,respectively ,all P<0 .05) .The fluorescence intensities of PKCαwere also significantly lower than that of control group (t=9 .232 ,15 .921 and 22 .222 ,respectively ,all P< 0 .01) .With the increase of IFNα-1b level ,the levels of HSC-T6 PKCε,PKCα,β-catenin and survivin were significantly lower than those of control group (t=7 .020 ,24 .562 ,45 .701 and 14 .241 ,respectively ,all P<0 .01) .With the increase of IFNα-1b ,the levels of HSC-T6 PKCε,PKCα,β-catenin and survivin were significantly lower than those of control group (t=9 .564 ,4 .409 ,10 .036 and 6 .794 ,respectively ,all P<0 .01) .Conclusions IFNα-1b can down-regulate the expression of collagen in hepatic stellate cells in a dose-dependent manner ,reduce the expressions of PKCε,PKCα,β-catenin and Survivin ,and inhibit the proliferation of HSC-T6 hepatic stellate cells .

Objective To provide a new approach to further elucidate the underlying pathogenesis of major depressive disorder by using resting-state functional connectivity strengths(FCS) in unmedicated patients with major depressive disorder(MDD). Methods Thirty-three unmedicated patients with MDD and thirty-three normal controls underwent the resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging(rs-fMRI). After preprocessing of rs-fMRI, the whole brain FCS values were constructed. Two-sample t-test was used to compare the FCS values of both groups to locate the regions with significant change. And correlation analysis was performed between the FCS values extracted from significantly different brain regions and Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD24) scores. Results One sample t test had shown that high FCS values brain areas (hubs) of MDD patients and normal controls were mainly located in the default mode network (the prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate gyrus, posterior cingulate gyrus, precuneus/cuneus, angular gyrus) and parietal cortex, lateral temporal cortex as well as occipital cortex. In comparison to the normal controls, the MDD patients had FCS values significantly decreased in the bilateral posterior cerebellar lobe (right posterior cerebellar t=-4.57, P<0.05;left posterior cerebellar t=-3.40,P<0.05), and FCS values increased in the right superior temporal gyrus (t=3.71,P<0.05) and left anterior insular lobe (t=3.91, P<0.05). There were no significant correlations between the HAMD24 scores and the FCS values in right/left posterior cerebellar (r=0.081, P=0.654; r=-0.028, P=0.877), right superior temporal gyrus (r=0.211, P=0.239) and left anterior insular lobe (r=-0.017,P=0.924). Conclusions These findings suggest abnormal functional connectivity in the bilateral posterior cerebellar lobe, right temporal lobe and left insular lobe in MDD. The FCS analysis may be used as a new research method to explore the pathogenesis of MDD.

Objective To provide a new approach to further elucidate the underlying pathogenesis of major depressive disorder by using resting-state functional connectivity strengths(FCS) in unmedicated patients with major depressive disorder(MDD). Methods Thirty-three unmedicated patients with MDD and thirty-three normal controls underwent the resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging(rs-fMRI). After preprocessing of rs-fMRI, the whole brain FCS values were constructed. Two-sample t-test was used to compare the FCS values of both groups to locate the regions with significant change. And correlation analysis was performed between the FCS values extracted from significantly different brain regions and Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD24) scores. Results One sample t test had shown that high FCS values brain areas (hubs) of MDD patients and normal controls were mainly located in the default mode network (the prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate gyrus, posterior cingulate gyrus, precuneus/cuneus, angular gyrus) and parietal cortex, lateral temporal cortex as well as occipital cortex. In comparison to the normal controls, the MDD patients had FCS values significantly decreased in the bilateral posterior cerebellar lobe (right posterior cerebellar t=-4.57, P<0.05;left posterior cerebellar t=-3.40,P<0.05), and FCS values increased in the right superior temporal gyrus (t=3.71,P<0.05) and left anterior insular lobe (t=3.91, P<0.05). There were no significant correlations between the HAMD24 scores and the FCS values in right/left posterior cerebellar (r=0.081, P=0.654; r=-0.028, P=0.877), right superior temporal gyrus (r=0.211, P=0.239) and left anterior insular lobe (r=-0.017,P=0.924). Conclusions These findings suggest abnormal functional connectivity in the bilateral posterior cerebellar lobe, right temporal lobe and left insular lobe in MDD. The FCS analysis may be used as a new research method to explore the pathogenesis of MDD.